#557 > Gina Sicilia - Unchange (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2022 – Vizztone

By Phillip Smith; June 4, 2-22

 

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Since reviewing Gina Sicilia’s 2016 album Sunset Avenue, I’ve made a point to check out her music as it is released.  Her latest record Unchange is rather spectacular.  Produced, recorded, and mixed by Colin Linden at Pinhead Recorders in Nashville, Tennessee, Unchange features Linden on guitars and vocals, Johnny Dymond on bass, and Bryan Owings on drums to back Sicilia’s beautiful voice.

The opening track “Healing Time” is a wonderous splash of slow, soulful blues with Kevin McKendree on piano.  Sicilia draws me immediately in with her sensational vocal artistry and she sounds fabulous.  She continues to amaze me as title-track “Unchange” follows up in a cloak of poignancy and a beautiful performance from Linden on guitar.  I love it when she breaks into the classic blues traditional “Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor”.  Guest backing vocalists Ann and Regina McCrary add a really nice touch to this extraordinary song.  Sicilia and Linden turn on the heat when they get to the cover of Reverend Gary Davis’ “Death Don’t Have No Mercy”.  Its twangy goodness is seared to perfection.  Sicilia takes crooning to the next level on “Don’t be Afraid to be Wrong”.  With Bohemian nuances sewn into its fabric, this delightful song is indeed a favorite.

The divine voice of Gina Sicilia hits all the right notes for a classic taste of pure Americana.  Unchange is an absolutely stunning album.

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For more information about Gina Sicilia, visit this website :  https://www.ginasicilia.com

#405 : Seth James - Good Life

2019 – Cherry Bomb Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 25, 2019

Good Life, the latest from Texas singer/songwriter Seth James captivated me from the beginning.  Sitting in that same wheelhouse of music which encompasses the songs of John Hiatt and Delbert McClinton, this album is a bowlful of soulful Americana.  James, on guitar and lead vocals is joined by Bob Britt on rhythm and slide guitar, Lynn Williams on drums, Kevin McKendree on keys, Steve Macket on bass, Jim Hoke on saxophone, Roy Agee on trombone, and Vinnie Ciesielski on trumpet.  The cover art from Paul Thorn is a blast too.  I can’t help but smile when it catches my eye.  

Title track, “Good Life”, is a wonderfully soulful tune with a spirited and catchy hook to jam out to.  I love the Memphis Stax-style delivery the band packs into “Little Angel”.  James’ impassioned words in this love-letter are moving and heartfelt.  For anyone who’s spent any amount of time away from their home and loved ones, “I’m Coming Home” beautifully expresses the joy-filled anticipation of returning to roost in one’s own abode.  I love “Medicine Man”.  It’s fun and funky rhythm is topped with a wily guitar riff, and slathered barrelhouse-friendly keys.  The stand-out song on this disc, however is “Third Generation”.  In this terrific selection, James takes an intelligent look at how the wealth created through hard work in one generation, is carelessly dismantled and thrown away by the third.

Good Life is a splendid mix of roots, blues, soul, and country, culminating into one fantastic album.  I highly recommend it.     

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For more information about the artist, visit this website.. www.sethjames.com  

Devon Allman - Ride Or Die

2016 –  Ruf Records

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 21, 2016

Ride Or Die, the third solo album from Devon Allman is quite strong and very bold.  Recorded in Nashville, this rocking, soulful and rootsy recording confidently hits on all cylinders.  Allman returns to the studio with co-producer/drummer Tom Hambridge, along with guitarist/bassist Tyler Stokes, bassist Steve Duerst, saxophonist Ron Holloway, violinist Bobby Yang, and keyboardist Kevin McKendree. 

Best played loud, “Say Your Prayers” masterfully ushers in the album, firing off catchy marching riffs and wavy psychedelic licks. Allman adds more heat to the swirling rock anthem “Galaxies”, asking “when galaxies collide, will you ride or die?” Allman performs this one with a beautiful intensity.  Allman sings “Watch What You Say” with the attitude and suaveness of Tom Jones.  His vocals, dripping with soul and conviction, are wonderfully accented with his stellar guitar playing.  I love the bouncy folky rhythm Allman threads through “Live From the Heart”.  It is contagious and a sheer delight.  He then wraps the album up with “A Night Like This”, a big meaty track consisting of jet-streamed riffs, lush keys and bubbly blasts of sax.  I can’t help but think of James Bond when I hear this fabulous piece.  It truly would make for an astounding 007 theme song.

Ride Or Die is a lovely album, and is Allman’s best work yet.